By Jeff Wice and Alexis Marking
VOTING RIGHTS
Attorney General To Intervene in Cheektowaga Voting Rights Act Challenge
New York State Attorney General Letitia James has informed the Erie County State Supreme Court that her office will intervene in the state voting rights act challenge filed against the Town of Cheektowaga over town board vote dilution. In that case, the town is challenging the constitutionality of the New York … <Read More>
On June 17, 2024, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that the e-scooter program is live in Eastern Queens. The program affects approximately 20 square miles, from Flushing and Auburndale to Rochdale Village and Springfield Gardens.
REDISTRICTING
Orange County Legislature Fails to Advance New Map
The Orange County Legislature failed to advance three county legislative draft maps to the public hearing stage after a meeting on July 26th lost its quorum of legislators necessary to move the maps to the next stage. The county needs to have a new map in place before petitioning for the 2025 primary gets underway next year.
On June 20, 2024, the New York City Council passed Int. 904 A. This legislation requires the Department of Buildings (DOB) to establish a proactive inspection program aimed at identifying hazardous building conditions. This bill was created in response to last winter’s collapse of a residential building which left many families displaced at 1915 Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx, and the fatal April 2023 collapse of a parking garage at 57 Ann Street in Lower … <Read More>
On June 18, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue celebrated the launch of the Let’s Swim NYC program. The program provides citizens throughout the five boroughs with improved access to pools to protect them against the summer heat, and to offer New Yorkers the opportunity to learn about water safety.
On June 11, 2024, officials from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, New York CIty Housing Authority, and New York City Housing Development Corporation celebrated the opening of Casa Celina, a building for New York’s seniors featuring over 200 new affordable units. The building is located on NYCHA’s Justice Sonia Sotomayor campus in the Soundview section of the Bronx.